Reed (The Love Family Series Book 4) (3 page)

Chapter 4

Reed reluctantly followed Avery into Marcello’s Suits. At least his inquisition had stopped on the stairs, giving her time to work on her plan for tonight. She knew the layout of the club, and every sordid aspect of the rooms hidden out of sight at the end of the hall. Even the most prepared operative would have a hard time alone, and here she was with a tagalong.

“Ah, Marcello,” Avery whispered while being kissed on both cheeks by the tiny man.

“Avery. What a pleasant surprise.”

“My friend here needs a new look.”

“Hey, what’s wrong with my look?” Reed asked.

“Humor me.” Avery glanced over her shoulder and lifted her brow before returning her attention to Marcello. “I want arm candy, so he needs to look sharp, sexy, wealthy, and mouth watering.”

“You don’t ask for much.” Marcello moved around Reed, pushing his arms out to his side to get a better look.  

He glanced between Reed and her. “Tonight? Avery, dear, I’m good, but I’m not that good. That’s not a lot of notice.”

“I know, and you know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

Marcello quirked his brow. “You’re related to Landon? Same physique, bone structure, and those eyes.” Marcello sighed.

“You know my brother?”

“Of course,” Marcello answered. “I’m the best in town for what he orders.”

Reed jerked his gaze to Avery and lifted his brow.

“Do you happen to have any of Landon’s suits you were holding? They’re about the same size.”

Marcello rested his finger on his chin as he glanced at Reed once more. “It just so happens I do. He wasn’t in to pick up his last order.” He glanced at Avery. “Will he need the full workup?”

Avery nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately, this isn’t a casual visit. It’s work related. We’ll need all the bells and whistles.”

Marcello nodded. He knew exactly what she meant. Explaining it to Reed might be more difficult. “Show him to the room and have him change.”

“You’re a doll.” She kissed Marcello’s cheek and took Reed’s hand, slipping her fingers through his. She showed him into the dressing room and then stepped in behind him, locking the door.

“Do you normally help men dress?” His lips quirked.

“Only when they need it.” She wiggled her brows and squeezed his fingers before pulling on the hanging hook next to the mirror. Reed’s eyes widened, and his mouth parted. She held her grin, watching Reed’s expression. She didn’t get to share the perks of her world with many people, so this one little moment in time was a small treat.

“Unbelievable.” Reed stepped into the hidden room. Guns hung on the racks covering the walls. Landon’s black Armani suit hung on a mannequin in the back room, in front of three mirrors. Sophisticated and mouth-watering. Reed, in that suit, would be both of those things and so much more. Reed turned in a circle and let out a low whistle. “Landon is like Bond, isn’t he?”

“He hates playing dress-up.” Avery walked over to the mannequin. “Your brother is really down to earth. It took a lot of convincing to get him on board with the company’s agenda.”

“And what agenda is that?”

Avery stopped unbuttoning the pants and looked up at him, glad she wasn’t with Landon’s other brother, the human lie detector.

“Has your brother ever told you how we met?”

“No, and you’re changing the subject.”

“Of course I am.” She shrugged. “I’d seen him on our Island, but I didn’t know him well. I didn’t know many of your family well. I’m afraid my job keeps me away from home a lot. So you can imagine my surprise when I bumped into him in the back alleyway of a hotel in South America.” She returned to working the clothes off the mannequin. “He was special ops then, tracking a drug lord. Anyway, we were in a little town in the middle of the jungle. The place was primitive at best. No clean running water, no medical services, not much of anything except this little dive of a hotel and a local watering hole for drunks.”

“What were you doing there?”     

“Your brother lost his entire team on that mission, and he’d been shot. Someone inside the agency sold them out, and when he stumbled into the alley at that exact moment, it seemed that fate had to have guided him that day.”

Reed shrugged out of his T-shirt and slipped into the crisp white shirt. “You don’t strike me much as a person who believes in fate.”

“I don’t, but he does.” Her gut clenched as she remembered the defeat in Landon’s eyes, the pain, not from his injury but from his loss.

“What happened to Landon?”

“I saved him. I aborted the reason I was there, and I called in a rescue. My company”—she cleared her throat and handed the pants to Reed—“came in and took us both out. I got reprimanded for it, but saving Landon’s life was the right thing to do. What was I going to do, let him die?”

Reed kicked off his shoes, unbuttoned his jeans, and slid them off. She took her time looking her fill while he changed into the pants. Reed was a briefs man, not those tighty whities but black biker briefs, and the package he teased her with…She lifted her gaze, trying not to look impressed and hungry.

“I thought you said that he saved your life.”

“He did.” She spun around and grabbed the dress shoes. “He’s been there for me more times than I care to admit, and saved me in other ways.” She handed him the dress shoes.

Reed sat down on the pillar in front of the mirrors and looked up at her, with the shoes still in his hand. Was that pity in his eyes? Did he even understand what she was telling him?

“Landon and you?” He searched her eyes for answers she wasn’t ready to explain.

She sat down next to him. “Landon,” she started and then stopped, swallowing around the lump in her throat. “Lan gets me. He can read me, and I’m not talking about his ability. I went through a rough time, and he was there for me.”

Reed dropped his gaze to the shoes. “So my brother and you? You’re what? An item?”

“No,” she said, rising from her seat. “With my work, I don’t have time for relationships, but Landon and I are really good friends.” She shook her head. “He’s not just my good friend. He’s my best friend.”

“You aren’t a couple?”

“No.”

Reed dropped the shoes and stood, closing the distance between them. He cupped her cheek and held her gaze. “Then he won’t mind that I do this.”

Reed ran his thumb over her bottom lip as he lowered his mouth to hers in a kiss that surprised her. His lips were soft, and she opened for him, letting him in to plunder her mouth. He tasted of mints and coffee as he held her tight against his length. He tested, and she took. His palm rested on the small of her back, his fingers teasing the waistband of her jeans. She toyed with running her fingers over the crisp white shirt, wishing for a moment he didn’t have it on.

“You two should get a room, and I don’t mean this one,” Marcello said as he crossed the room.

“You’re just full of surprises, Love. That was bold.”

“I have no doubt you could have, and would have, stopped me if you wanted.”

“You’re right.” She smiled. “Why did you kiss me?” she whispered against his lips.

“Because I wanted to.” Reed winked as he dropped his hold and stepped back, resuming his seat to try on the shoes.

“Do we need any alterations?”

“No,” Reed said, sliding his foot in the second shoe. “It fits like a glove.”

Avery grabbed the jacket and held it out to him to slide into. Marcello crossed his arm over his chest. Resting his elbow on his arm, he played with the scruff on his chin. “It’ll do.”

Damn, if that wasn’t an understatement. Reed was hot dressed to the nines. He could easily fit in with the men at the club, and if Avery didn’t have her own agenda, she’d be spending half the night fighting off the cougars in search of new blood. She might have told Reed he was her arm candy, but the truth was, he was a four-course meal with a side of dessert to a starving woman on a diet. Good God, all the Love boys sure knew how to fill out a suit, but Reed….just damn.

“It’ll do.”

Marcello moved to Avery’s side as they watched Reed turn toward the mirrors.

“Wipe your chin, darling,” he whispered as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. “He’s delicious, and I want details.”

Avery chuckled before stepping around him and taking one of the guns off the wall while Reed changed out of his clothes and put his jeans on again. “Put this on my tab.”

“You got it, doll. I have the bullets in the case, and I’ll put them in the shoe box.”

Avery popped the magazine clip out to make sure it wasn’t loaded before shoving the gun into the waistband beneath her shirt.

“How did you get here so fast, Reed?”

“Luke’s jet,” he answered, slipping back into his shoes.

“Is the jet still here?” She turned to find him redressed.

“Yeah, why?”

“Have it on standby tonight. We aren’t staying.”

“What about our stuff?”

“I’ll have everything taken care of. You just call Henry and tell him to be fueled and waiting.”

“Should I even ask you how you knew the pilot’s name?”

She smiled but didn’t answer. “I’ll take care of everything, just have him ready. Wheels up at midnight.”

“Like Cinderella leaving the ball?”

“If Cinderella carries a gun and has to crack some heads, then sure.”

“I’m going to kill Landon.”

“Not if I do it first.”

The look Reed gave her, as though deciding if she was serious, was priceless.

Chapter 5

Five hours later, Reed pulled at the hem of his suit jacket one more time, and stepped out of the Town Car driven by someone Avery introduced as Sam. Sam looked as though he could easily have been drafted as a linebacker for a professional football team. The restaurant in front of them looked nice, but he felt extremely overdressed for the ribs and chicken they advertised on their sign. He pointed to a man as he passed into the restaurant. “Hey, he’s wearing jeans.”

“Quit being a baby.” She grinned. “We aren’t here for dinner.”

“How long have you known Sam?” Reed asked.

“Long enough,” she said, moving to stand in front of him. “Sam will be waiting for our exit.”

“Okay.” Reed tugged at his red tie to loosen it.

“Quit fidgeting. You look great.” She slid her red clutch beneath her arm and straightened his tie as he watched. He stilled his fingers from touching her, as he had done when she’d changed for the night. His mouth had watered when she’d stepped out in the short red dress that hugged every curve. When she’d turned, and he’d glimpsed the back, his body responded. The backless dress made every nerve in his body stand at attention. His fingers itched to touch the smooth skin.

“Just stick by my side and we’ll get through this unscathed. We get in, get what we need, and get out. Simple.”

“Right, simple. Remind me again why we’re doing this. Why we can’t just leave and find my brother?”

“Your brother was looking for intel on someone who didn’t want to be found.”

“Who?” he asked.

Avery ran her hands up his jacket and around his neck, lowering his head to kiss him. Not that he minded. He pulled her closer and held on to her until Avery broke away. She glanced over her shoulder at the couple that had passed, talking in hushed tones.

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“And you aren’t giving me answers.”

“Strictly need to know.” She patted his jacket before running the pad of her thumb over his lips. “Just follow my lead.”

Avery slipped her fingers around the crook of his arm, bypassed the door to the restaurant, and rounded the corner into the alleyway.

“Uh…are we going in through the kitchen?” He gestured with his thumb, pointing back the way they had come.

“We’re going to the underground,” she whispered. Her stilettos clicked against the pavement. The smell of stale food drifted to his nose from the dumpster they had passed. If this was where the wealthy hung out, they needed a new realtor. The alleyway was littered with cans and newspapers as she led him farther into the dark. She paused at a doorway with a keypad on the abandoned building next door. Quick to press buttons, he heard the door click, and she yanked it open.

Light spilled out as he stepped inside and paused. Her hand on his arm tightened as she leaned into him. “Just relax.”

“What is this place?” he asked as another couple entered and stepped around them to the only desk in the lobby. The woman’s dress ended at the top of her thighs. Her thigh-high boots were black and shiny. The woman glanced over her shoulder and winked in Reed’s direction as the man with her talked with the receptionist. Each one of them had pop-up boxes with information around them. Each an invitation, if he wanted to actually find out who they were.

The receptionist greeted them in hushed tones before disappearing with the couple behind another secure door.

Avery turned toward him and straightened his tie again. “This is an exclusive club.”

“What kind of club?”

“Relax,” she whispered when the receptionist returned. Avery slipped her fingers through his and guided him to the desk.

The blonde receptionist smiled as they approached.

“Avery Malone.”

The woman nodded. “Of course, Ms. Malone, a party for four. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Thank you, Angelica. Is Mr. Franklin here yet?”

Angelica’s boxes popped up the minute they’d walked into the door. Pictures of her in a flowered dress on a beach with a fruity umbrella drink in her hand filled one of her boxes. The smile on her face was genuine as she looked up into the eyes of the man plastered to her side. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes as he looked down at this woman.

Angelica moved to the keypad on the door and punched in numbers. “Mr. Franklin is already seated. If you’ll just follow me.”

She held the door open for them to step inside, and they waited for her to lead the way into the dim room. Soft music drifted to his ears as they passed tables of well-dressed people sitting and speaking in hushed tones. Couples and groups were sitting together in the semi-circular booths. A woman was kissing a man with another woman on his side, and she was rubbing his chest. Exactly what type of club had Avery dragged him into?

The man in the booth broke the kiss, turned to the other woman, and kissed her. Avery’s grip on Reed’s arm tightened and pulled him to walk again.

Angelica stopped in front of a booth in the corner away from the others, which was guarded by two beefy men wearing sunglasses and suits. She held out her hand, gesturing to the table. “Ms. Malone has arrived,” she informed the guards, who stepped aside and let them pass. Angelica lowered her eyes, and her cheeks turned pink as she smiled at the man in the booth.

The man slid out of the booth and rose. “Avery. It’s a pleasure.”

He leaned into her and kissed both of her cheeks.

“Stuart,” she breathed between them before returning to Reed’s side. “I’d like you to meet Reed Love. Reed, this is Stuart Franklin.”

Reed’s jaw clenched as he realized he was being introduced to the man in the pictures, the one who was passing the briefcase. It was the same man in Angelica’s picture.

Reed shook Stuart’s hand. His grip was strong as he squeezed, and Reed squeezed back. Stuart’s lips twitched before he dropped his hold and gestured to the booth.

“And this is my lovely companion tonight, Emily Page.”

“Pleasure.” The woman smiled up at them. “Please join us.”

The atmosphere in the room was thick with secrecy and tension as they slid into the booth.

“You took a risk coming here with him,” Stuart was quick to say.

Avery rested her palm on Reed’s leg. “I trust him.”

Stuart glanced between the two. “That speaks volumes, but unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury.” He slid out of the booth and held out his palm for Emily. “Emily, be a doll and take Mr. Love to the dance floor.”

Emily slipped out of the booth and smiled. “Mr. Love, would you care to dance?”

Reed glanced at Avery, who gave a little nod. “Of course he would, but first...”

“Avery…”

Avery leaned in and pressed her lips to his, killing the question on his lips. Her soft body melded into his as she wound her fingers around his neck and tilted her head, deepening their kiss. Her tongue dueled with his in a dance that made it difficult to remember exactly why they were there. Her taste, her touch, ignited a fire that was hard to tame. She pulled free, her eyes glazed as she looked into his eyes. His breath came out in pants as her fingers slid farther up his thigh with unspoken promises.

“It’s not polite to make a lady wait.” Her lips twisted into a smile at her sexual innuendo.

“I’ll remember that.” He winked and slid out of the booth, placing his palm on Emily’s back and leading her to the occupied dance floor.   

Reed rested his palm on Emily’s hips as they swayed on the dance floor to the slow song. Emily seductively pressed into him, and even that wasn’t enough for Reed to take his gaze off Avery.

“She was staking her claim.”

Reed glanced at the redhead in his arms. “Excuse me?”

“Avery. She was letting me know that you’re off-limits.”

“What? Is a hot kiss some type of girl code?”

Emily rested her hands on his neck as she glanced back at the table. “Yes. I’ve known Avery a long time.”

“How do you know her?” Reed turned the woman so he could keep an easier eye on the table. The boxes around Emily were easy to read. Her pictures weren’t anything to brag about, her bank account far less interesting, even if this woman was living comfortably. He studied her playful expression, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Through work. The same way I know your brother, although I must say, you’re a much better dancer than he is.”

That statement caught him off guard, and he stilled their movement.

Her hands moved to his and squeezed. “Keep dancing.”

Reed moved slower. “I seem to be at a disadvantage. Everyone I’ve met knows my brother, yet I don’t know anyone.”

Reed nodded toward the table. “What’s Stuart’s story? Does he work with Avery and you also?”

“Oh no.” She grinned, and he spun them around again. “He’s one of the most vile, arrogant men you’ll ever meet.”

A shiver skirted down her spine, and Reed pulled her closer and turned them again. “Why are you with him?”

“The same reason Avery is here.” She smiled and ran her hands up into Reed’s hair. “For information.”

“What’s your connection? Who was Landon looking for?”

Her smile faltered, and Reed maneuvered them through the throng of people to the other side of the room, even farther away from the table.

She looked up into his eyes. “He was looking for my sister.”

“I don’t understand.” Reed took her hand and led her toward a hallway, away from prying eyes and ears.

“And I don’t have time to explain.” She glanced nervously up the hallway before pulling him toward the other end. She opened a door at the end of the hall and shoved him inside, following behind. She flicked the lock and turned on the light. A bed with red satin sheets sat in the middle of the room with little else but the cuffs and chains dangling on the side.

“My sister went missing six months ago,” she said, slipping a strap off her shoulder. Reed stepped back and held up his hands.

“Listen, I don’t know what this place is, but…”

Emily rolled her eyes and closed the distance between them. She reached for his tie and loosened it before taking the clip out of her hair, letting the loose curls run down her back. “This is a gentleman’s club.” She gestured to the bed. “It’s exactly what it looks like.” She loosened his tie and started unbuttoning his shirt.

“What are you doing?” he asked, placing his fingers over hers, stilling her greedy hands.

“Making this look believable,” she answered. “As I was saying, my sister, Alice, went missing six months ago from her home.”

Emily leaned into kiss his neck, and Reed’s hold on her arms tightened.

“Work with me. They’ll come looking for us in a minute, and we’re running out of time.” She brushed his hands away and kissed the other side of his neck before she moved him back to the bed and pushed him to sit. “Alice is a doctor, and when she didn’t show up for rounds, they called me. I went to her house and it was a mess. There was blood everywhere, and the place was trashed. Her medical bag was missing, and there were syringes and cotton pads soaked in blood left by the bed. I knew something bad had happened, but I had no idea what, so I called Landon for help.”

Emily climbed onto the bed, lifted her dress up to her thighs, and straddled his waist, pushing Reed to lie down.

“Landon must have gotten too close to uncovering the truth.” She leaned down over him and pressed a quick kiss on his lips. “He found that Stuart had been watching her. He might have had something to do with her disappearance. That’s why I’m with him. He knows what happened.”

“Did you ask him?”

“God, no,” she whispered. “Landon paid for the information.”

“The briefcase,” Reed whispered.

“Stuart had one condition.”

Reed’s brows dipped, and his stomach churned, as he hesitated, not sure he wanted to know what that information might be.

“He wanted me in exchange for the information.”

“Why?” Reed leaned up on his elbows. “He’s holding you as what? A prisoner?”

“I’m his bargaining chip that she won’t go to the police. He acts like he knows where Landon is holed up, and I’d give my bank account that he knows where Alice is being held.” She leaned down, and her body stiffened, her breath hot against his lips. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered before pressing her lips to his.

A second later, the door was kicked in. Stuart walked in with his bodyguards, and Avery stepped in behind them.

Emily gasped as she was yanked off of Reed. Stuart’s eyes were narrowed, and the grip on Emily’s arm turned white around Stuart’s fingers. “Did you forget your place?”

Emily’s eyes widened in horror as he passed her off to his guards.

Reed slid off the bed and held Avery’s hurt-filled gaze. She didn’t speak.

“Avery, I didn’t know you liked to share your toys,” Stuart insinuated and slid up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist as they both held Reed’s gaze. “I think it’s only fair I return the favor.”

Avery clenched her eyes closed as Stuart pressed his lips to her neck, letting his mouth linger around his smile, almost daring Reed to try something.